All Over Albany

How can they say there isn't enough business demand? Half the time you call them, they don't show up!

... said Jessica R W on Apr 22, 2015 at 11:35 AM | link

Hmm, curiously, I see no acknowledgement of the problems alleged by the restaurant owners (not to mention the many, many members of the public, residents and visitors alike) with the cabs in the area.

"A taxi here for the most part is a last resort." Well, maybe if the taxi situation wasn't so utterly dismal and uninviting, taxis would be more popular? It's certainly worth a shot.

... said JayK on Apr 22, 2015 at 12:17 PM | link

I'm going to hazard a guess that there is nothing in current livery codes/regulations that precludes existing cab companies from installing credit card readers in their vehicles and/or hiring some computer person to make their company an app so people can use their smartphones to hail local taxi company. If my business was about to be upended/disrupted or if for some reason I was a new arrival to this planet and was only hearing about these options for the first time, I'd get to gettin' on that damn quick.

... said Rebecca on Apr 22, 2015 at 12:29 PM | link

Their comments show a complete lack of understanding the market that Uber and Lyft will serve.

Bringing Uber and Lyft into the market will unlock new demand for reliable and clean transportation services. The future users of Uber and Lyft in the Capital Region are not using local taxi services now. They are designating drivers, walking an extra couple of blocks, or simply having two drinks and heading home instead of visiting multiple restaurants and bars.

... said Erik on Apr 22, 2015 at 12:35 PM | link

Or that one time I called and was told "sorry can't help ya"

... said T on Apr 22, 2015 at 12:55 PM | link

Slightly off topic, but most of the cab drivers I observe never use their turn signals and don't wear a seatbelt.

My theory is that they are instructed to do this to reduce wear and tear on the cab's safety equipment.

... said Rob on Apr 22, 2015 at 1:31 PM | link

Maybe if the cabs in this area weren't horrible that 20% of non-medical transports would increase... Cabs being a last resort might be a function of the cab service not a function of the people wanting to ride in cabs...

... said John Taxi Rider... on Apr 22, 2015 at 1:34 PM | link

While I understand why they're saying there isn't enough demand, I also am positive I would use cabs more if they were even slightly more affordable and reliable. I have zero interest in using the taxis in Albany, and would rather alter my plans (if possible) than use their service. I feel like the cab companies are saying this is a demand issue, when really it's just a "I dislike you so much, I'd rather find ANY alternative to avoiding you" issue.

... said Katie on Apr 22, 2015 at 1:51 PM | link

I literally dread every time I have to call a cab in Albany. They're almost always unreliable, and quite often incredibly rude (not to mention that when the cab comes for you you never have any idea what the fare will be.) Top that off with them not accepting credit cards (literally laughable in 2015) and it truly makes it impossible for me to take a cab most nights, as I very rarely have cash on me. I'd like to see his response to THAT and all of the other complaints people have been making for the past several years.

The cab companies around here could really benefit from some help from a PR agency. Update your technology, do some rebranding, clean up your cars, train your staff how to not be assholes, and then do some marketing around your updated and improved services.

... said Val on Apr 22, 2015 at 3:18 PM | link

Have I told you lately that I love you?

Seriously, every single one of the comments above went through my head when I read the story.

I'm sure if Uber came to Albany and was unhappy, it could console itself by sleeping on a mattress stuffed with the money its made by expanding the market for taxi riders in the area.

I would be one of them.

In other cities I take cabs. In the Capital Region I wouldn't dream of it. With cleaner, more reliable options for hiring a car, I would both go out more often and spend more money when I was out. That bottle of wine with dinner would no longer be the forbidden fruit. Nor would that after dinner cocktail. Or that pre meal aperitif, for that matter.

... said Daniel B. on Apr 22, 2015 at 10:15 PM | link

I moved to downtown Albany after grad school 8 months ago and I can say the number one worst thing about living n Albany is the cab service. Deplorable is an understatement. I've had cab prices change from $15 to $8 after negotiating for a minute. I've also paid $15 to go less than one mile. I experienced far superior service taking cabs and boda-boda's in Uganda. They were cleaner, felt safer, had up-front and transparent pricing, and the drivers were friendly. In Uganda. I can make none of those same comments regarding any cab experience I've had in Albany. Thank God this is finally getting the attention it deserves. Uber would clean up in this area, and we'd all be better off for it.

... said Mike M. on Apr 23, 2015 at 10:17 AM | link

Cab company owners... are you reading these comments? Your all messed up in the head...

... said John Taxi Rider on Apr 23, 2015 at 12:33 PM | link

Would you all like to be even more frustrated? Check out the defense of the local taxi situation by one of our oh-so-pleasant cabbies, jf, at the Table Hopping blog. Make sure you read all 3 or so of jf's long, angry comments. It's enlightening to say the least.

http://blog.timesunion.com/tablehopping/47572/restaurateurs-urge-adoption-of-uber-take-a-poll/comment-page-1/#comment-2274485

... said JayK on Apr 23, 2015 at 2:15 PM | link

Huh. jf's solutions (post 43) seem mostly reasonable? To recap:

- More city involvement with cab inspection, fielding concerns, setting fares, approving medallions and driver background.
- Know when to expect delays
- Determine cost up front
- Be nice.

There's some garbage in his post, but what am I missing with the above?

... said -B on Apr 23, 2015 at 4:20 PM | link

I don't find those posts reasonable at all: Putting the problems with service and cabs onto customers, or ignoring them outright. Glaring contradictions throughout most of the posts. Utter paranoia about Uber's policies. This:"IDK It's always been this way." Etc. Read all his posts, then read the responses from those on the thread much more knowledgeable than myself.

That said, I've always supported both reforming the area's taxi service (and I agree with jf on some of those points) and giving the area another option.

... said JayK on Apr 23, 2015 at 5:36 PM | link

I don't use the taxis because they're disgusting here. The drivers are gross, rude, and the cabs reek. I am glad to see uber or lyft coming, I would leave the New Scotland bars to drink elsewhere in the area. Plus, it's just easier to pay uber than the current guys.

... said Joe on Apr 23, 2015 at 8:23 PM | link

I thought a lot of jf's comments were spot on, especially the one about the fact that a lot of the guys that are going to be driving for Uber are initially going to be the same crappy cab drivers that we already have now. It's not going to get better just because they're under the Uber umbrella.

He also very briefly mentions the insurance difference between the current cabs and Uber drivers- that's an important part of the conversation that's being conveniently left out by everyone shouting about how Uber is going to save us all from the horror that is the local cab industry.

... said Cmaxby on Apr 24, 2015 at 8:58 AM | link

"the insurance difference between the current cabs and Uber drivers-that's an important part of the conversation that's being conveniently left out by everyone shouting about how Uber is going to save us all from the horror that is the local cab industry."

Since there are legislators working on a bill to address this very issue, and that's most of what the push to bring in Uber/Lyft involves in the first place, I can't see how it's being left out of the conversation.

... said JayKb on Apr 24, 2015 at 11:19 AM | link

The cab comments are pretty accurate. We're down to one car b/c college age child needed a car... so, we have to call a cab when we need to leave the car i.e. a car inspection, etc.

We've ridden in all the different cab companies. Dirty cars, late, no shows, honking in our driveway (wth) upon arrival, jus awful. Then, we discovered a company called Guilderland Car Service. Hurray!

I don't know if Uber would make it here in the Capital Region. Most of the people needing the service are low wage workers; unlikely they would find this an affordable option. The caprideshare company recently launched in Albany seems a bit expensive so, I would rather just rent a car.

... said JJ on Apr 25, 2015 at 3:06 PM | link

I ride cabs in other cities.

In Albany, I change my behavior.

In Albany, a cab ride for one mile has cost me more than a 5 mile cab ride. I don't know what I am going to get, so I take a cab once a year.

If I could take a cleaner, less creepy cab in Albany, I would go out more and spend more $ in Albany. Better cabs in Albany would do wonders for the bars and restaurants in Albany.

... said AB on Apr 27, 2015 at 9:22 AM | link